Monday, february 24, 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

Zuriah Flemming of Meta Social Club is Aruba's Diamond Jubilee Carnival Queen ceptional show, and welcomed three well-known Venezuelan TV celebrities among the judges. The dance troupe from that country's major TV station, Venevision, put on a fantastic dance show and Aruba's Tumba King, Jorrino Ridderstap, entertained.

But the stars of the evening were the seven candidates with their fantastic costumes, glittering gowns and spectacular productions.

Continued on pg 4

Aruba's nights were alight with the Tivoli Lighting Parade

Aruba's 60th Carnaval Queen, Zuriah Flemming of Meta Social Club

ORANJESTAD -- Aruba's Diamond Jubilee Carnival is at its height, with the final parades and events taking place over the next ten days.

The streets are filled with the sound of music and lavishly costumed dancers, and reigning supreme over all this is Aruba's landmark anniversary Reina Grande, Zuriah Flemming of Meta Social Club.

Meta Social Club is a newly formed carnival

group, which is making quite a splash with first year of participation. Monday of last week, their entry for Mrs. Carnival, Lynette Bernadina, took that crown, and their statuesque entry for the top queen, Zuriah, was crowned

by Aruba's Prime Minister, Mike Eman, on Friday evening, February 21.

Since this is a landmark carnival, the organizers of the queen pageant put on an ex-

ORANJESTAD -- The last two weekends of the Carnival season are upon us, which means a hectic schedule of parades filling up the days and nights until Ash Wednesday, when the season ends.

This year, being Aruba's landmark Diamond Jubilee Carnival, means particularly lavish costumes, floats and roadpieces, guaranteeing a terrific spectacle for all revelers joining in the fun and excitement.

Saturday evening, the particularly delightful Tivoli Lighting Parade wended its way through Oranjestad's streets, filling them with

music and joviality. Sumptuous costumes and floats were dramatically accented with lights, often flashing, making this one of the most popular parades of all.

At the head of the parade was Aruba's newly-elected Carnival Reina Grande, Zuriah Flemming, the crown placed on her regal head less

than 24 hours prior.

All in all, it was another gorgeous display of creatively, with island artistry demonstrated in the design of the fabulous floats, original musical compositions, and spirited participation.

Photo coverage on pg 2

By Rosalie Klein

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Monday, February 24, 2014

Aruba's nights were alight with the Tivoli Lighting Parade

Monday, February 24, 2014

3

Great expectations for summer 2014

Workshop on new law AAA foresees a 4% increase “Chain Liability” given in passengers coming to Aruba by lawyer Monica Kock

ORANJESTAD -- Recently, during a press conference given by the Ministry of Tourism together with the Aruba Airport Authority (AAA), and Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) it was informed that the outlook for Summer 2014 looks very positive for the aviation and tourism sectors.

AAA director Peter Steinmetz reported that COPA Airlines has increased their flights to Aruba. COPA began flying to Aruba with 4 flights per week and has now increased that to 7 flights per week. They have slowly increased their flights and the capacity of each aircraft to

Aruba.

COPA’s flights arrive here in full occupancy which brings a demand for more capacity. This is certainly good news for AAA and Aruba’s tourism. COPA Airlines will begin their additional flights to Aruba; and a total of 11 flights per week are expected as of June 3rd, 2014.

The Airport Council International (ACI) foresees a global growth of 4% with respect to the world of aviation for the next 4 years. Hence, we can expect, should everything proceed as it is going, per year we can expect a growth of 4.5%, according to Steinmetz.

In this context AAA foresees an 11% increase, equivalent to 64 thousand seats that can be occupied during summer 2014. This forecast indicates that the airlines have confidence in Aruba as a destination. With respect to the US, there will be an increase of 9%. From Europe there is also a growth indication compared to the past years. This is also due to the fact that KLM and Arke Fly are coming to the island with another type of aircraft.

KLM will begin flying with the A33-300 and Arke Fly will be using the Boeing 787. These are aircrafts with a great deal more passenger seating capacity.

Steinmetz also reported that Southwest Airlines will be flying 4 additional flights; JetBlue will also increase their flights to 11 in the “offseason” from JFK. US Airways will be coming with 11 flights from Charlotte and Delta and American Airlines will be flying with aircrafts of greater seating capacity.

AAA foresees an increase of 5-13% in seating capacity from North America. Steinmetz is pleased that the opening of the Ritz Carlton has contributed to the room increase making it possible to accommodate all our visitors.

Latin America remains a large market for Aruba and is expected to grow by 20%.

Steinmetz is obviously very pleased with the positive results and for the excellent cooperation from the industry partners and the tremendous work done by the marketing department.

ORANJESTAD -- Just recently Lawyer Monica Kock organized a lecture with the special theme related to the introduction of the new law..."Chain Liability" (Kentekenaansprakelijkheid). This law is expected to go into effect as of June 1st, 2014. This law has to do with the paying of taxes and is certainly a matter of concern to contractors and companies that hire employees from contractors and employment agencies.

The law is particularly applicable to contractors and subcontractors. Monica Kock & Partners Law Offices organized the event which took place on February 18 in the

Alhambra Ballroom.

Kock was very pleased with the large turnout assisting the lecture. According to Monica Kock, upon close investigation, one must be well prepared for this law. The government has given all contractors and companes as well as employment agencies sufficient time to prepare themselves for the introduction of this new law.

The law states that the main contractor is responsible for the income taxes and the premiums of the sub contractor and any other companies falling under him.

Continued on pg 5

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Monday, February 24, 2014

Zuriah Flemming of Meta Social Club is Aruba's Diamond Jubilee Carnival Queen Continued from pg 1

Carnaval Queen with 1st and 2nd Runner-up

Best Make-up winner Thania Lacle

Best Costume and Speech Thania Lacle

The numbers were elaborate, focusing on celebrating Aruba and its carnival in its content. Zuriah, along with Ziazian Goeloe, Jasmin Marin of Santa Cruz, San Nicolas Queen Souhaila Kock, School Queen Xenia del Rosario, Adeline Martinus of Royal Carnival Group and Thania Lacle, representing the University of Aruba, displayed quite some charisma and vitality during their shows, giving the judges a tough job in picking the winners.

Finally, the winners were announced. Though all competing for the title were spectacular, the judges were particularly impressed with Thania Lacle, the queen from the University of Aruba, who won the awards for Best Show, Best Speech, Best Costume, and Best Make-up, earning her a special prize from sponsors, Aruba Trading Company and Revlon, as well as the trophy of Second Runner-up.

Ziazian Goeloe is a veteran to carnival queen elections, having taken the First Runner-Up trophy in the Youth Queen pageant only a few years ago, and was named First Runner-up in this year's Reina Grande event.

At this point, the question of winner was moot, after Zuriah had also won the SETAR Queen sash from Aruba's national telecommunications company, with 28.7% of the SMS votes.

She also was named Most Popular, but was still overwhelmed when she was named queen, she had heartfelt hugs for Jordano Hilario, Prins 60 and Emon Webb, Pancho Rebienta, as they singled her out from the queen line-up.

This important Diamond Jubilee Carnival event also earned the new queen a special trophy from Stichting Arubaanse Carnaval (SAC) the foundation that organizes and administrates carnival events. It was presented by President of SAC, Tecla Kelly.

Aruba's contingent of Diamond Jubilee Carnival Royalty is now complete, with their new Queen Zuriah reigning supreme over the remaining parades and events!

By Rosalie Klein

Tue. FeB. 25 7:00 p.m.

Tourist Night Steelband and Costume Show Downtown Oranjestad Wed. FeB. 26 8:00 p.m.

International Concert – Window to the World Caribbean Night Thu. FeB. 27 8:00 p.m.

Parada di Luz San Nicolas

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Monday, February 24, 2014

5

Workshop on new law “Chain Liability”...

Continued from pg 3

This, according to Monica Kock, will have grave consequences primarily in the construction and employment companies.

Often the contractor may not even know who the subcontractor is and if they are using workers from other companies and if these companies are paying their taxes.

In such a case, the contractor will be held responsible for all those unpaid taxes.

The law entails that when the project is completed, even after 5years the contractor will be held responsible for any debts from other persons.

According to Kock, the consequences of this law will be great for those in the construction world and for employment agencies, which are sometimes also called contractors.

Companies who rent out persons to work in housekeeping, cleaning and secu-

Aruba’s Weather Update WEATHER: MOSTLY SUNNY AND GENERALLY DRY. MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 31 CENTIGRADE / MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 26 CENTIGRADE. SUNRISE 06:58 AM / SUNSET 06:49 PM. WIND: MODERATE TO STRONG EASTERN TRADE WINDS AVERAGING 15 KNOTS GUSTING UP TO 25 KNOTS. GENERAL SITUATION: A SURFACE HIGH PRESSURE AREA ON THE ATLANTIC IS GRADUALLY LOOSING FORCE AND TRADWINDS WILL SLOWLY LOOSE SOME SPEED. WEATHER IS GENERALLY DRY BUT RAINCLOUDS MAY OCCASIONALLY CROSS OUR AREA WHAT MAY CAUSE A SHORT SHOWER, MAINLY AFTER MIDNIGHT AND IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL IS NOT SIGNIFICANT. SAHARAN DUST IS BEING ADVECTED OVER OUR AREA AND MAY REDUCE VISIBILITY. MARINE CONDITIONS: WAVES ARE FROM THE EAST-NORTHEAST WITH HEIGHTS 6 TO 8 FEET. EXPECTATIONS FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK: SKIES REMAIN MOSTLY SUNNY. CHANCE OF A SHORT PASSING SHOWER MAINLY IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. WINDS WILL GRADUALLY LOSE SPEED. TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATES AROUND NORMAL. ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY. OBSERVED TEMPERATURE (CENTIGRADE) AND RAINFALL (MM) IN THE LAST 24 HOURS: AIRPORT MAX 31 / MIN 25 / 0.00

rity can also fall under this law. In this case the hotel sector will be held responsible for the taxes and premiums of each worker.

Lawyer Kock provided participants to her lecture several valuable tips and solutions. For one, she indicated, it is important to know your subcontractor. You have to protect yourself and ensure that they don't employ other persons, because you are ultimately responsible for the chain.

Kock suggested that contractors make changes in their contracts to protect themselves. Every three months they should ask the subcontractor to show from where he has hired employees, obtain a declaration of conduct from the Tax Bureau which will give an indication if the person is paying his taxes.

Kock received the request to repeat the lecture and is evaluating doing this in two or three weeks depending on the amount of requests.

6

Monday, February 24, 2014

No regrets about Benghazi comments: Obama adviser

Hundreds on Venezuela streets in support of government CARACAS (AFP) Venezuela's government, in the midst of its deepest and deadliest crisis to date, rallied hundreds of supporters Sunday to Caracas's streets.

Groups of mainly elderly people marched Sunday in downtown Caracas in support of President Nicolas Maduro, a day after Venezuela's largest demonstrations in weeks of escalating protests left 25 people injured.

Maduro is grappling with the biggest crisis of his government since narrowly being elected last year after the death of leftist icon Hugo Chavez, with at least 10 people dead since protests erupted on February 4.

Hundreds of thousands of pro- and anti-government protesters hit the streets of the capital on Saturday, leading to night-time clashes with security forces that were some of the most serious to date.

Student and opposition demonstrators are campaigning over bleak economic prospects, including a shortage of food and commodities, repression by police and a dire job market. Dozens of people, including opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, have been arrested or wounded.

Pro-government demonstrators Sunday dressed in red -- the color of the socialist administration -- held Venezuelan flags and proMaduro banners, protesting what they called "fascist violence" by student opposition.

"That's enough youth violence. This is a country of peace. We want a future of peace," Cristina Marcos, 60, told reporters during a rally that began in the morning at the Plaza Bolivar and headed towards the Miraflores Palace, where the president was expected to give a speech.

Of the 25 people hurt in the late-night unrest in Caracas's posh Chacao municipality, 14 were wounded from buckshot before protesters were dispersed using gas and

birdshot, the Chacao mayor said Sunday.

- Tensions soar higher amid deaths Competing mass rallies in the capital are laying bare a chasm between those who support Maduro and those who oppose him, in an oil-rich country that despite having the world's largest proven reserves is grappling with basic goods shortages, rampant inflation and violent crime.

The protests -- which began in the western city of San Cristobal led by students angry over the soaring crime rate -- have increasingly been accompanied by violence and attempts to intimidate protesters and the media.

In Caracas, there have also been incidents of men on pick-up trucks, escorted by motorbikes intimidating protesters.

Now the government is scrambling to try to blunt what it sees as international and social media portrayals of his elected government as a bad guy due to its security forces' behavior with demonstrators, analysts say.

Saturday, Maduro who denies any links to armed progovernment groups, unveiled a new peace initiative -- a week after a national public safety strategy he announced was overtaken by the protests.

"I am calling on the Venezuelan people to join me Wednesday in a national peace conference with all the country's political sectors ... so we Venezuelans can try to neutralize violent groups," he said.

Maduro insists the protests are part of a "coup d'etat in development" instigated by Washington and conservative ex-Colombian president Alvaro Uribe, who is considered close to the United States.

The president also ordered the arrest of a retired general.

Angel Vivas, saying he had ties to the violence that marred the protests. Vivas said on Twitter he was resisting arrest.

WASHINGTON, February 23, 2014 (AFP) - National Security Adviser Susan Rice said Sunday she had no regrets about remarks she made about an attack in Benghazi, Libya that left a US ambassador dead and sparked a political firestorm.

Four American citizens, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, were killed in the double raid targeting the US mission and nearby CIA annex on September 11, 2012.

Rice was widely accused of deliberately misleading the public after she said only days later that, according to intelligence at the time, it had started with a spontaneous protest against a privately made anti-Islam film posted online.

Some Republican lawmakers accuse President Barack Obama of concealing evidence that Al Qaedalinked jihadi groups were behind the attack and of failing to properly protect the outpost.

Rice -- who was the US envoy to the United Nations at the time -- subsequently pulled out of consideration to be Obama's second-term secretary of state.

Asked in an exclusive interview Sunday with NBC's "Meet the Press" whether she had any regrets about her comments, made on the same program in September 2012, Rice said: "No, because what I said to you that morning and what I did every day since was to share the best information that we had at the time."

She added: "I commented that this was based on what we knew on that morning -- was provided to me and my colleagues, and indeed, to Congress by the intelligence community, and that's been well-validated in many different ways since."

"And that information turned out, in some respects, not to be 100 percent correct. But the notion that somehow I or anybody else in the administration misled the American people is patently false, and I think that that's been amply demonstrated."

Ukraine ushers in new era as president flees KIEV (AFP) - A new era dawned in Ukraine on Sunday as parliament appointed a pro-Western interim leader after ousted president Viktor Yanukovych fled Kiev to escape retribution for a week of deadly carnage.

The ex-Soviet state's tumultuous three-month crisis culminated in a dizzying flurry of historic changes over the weekend that saw parliament sideline the proRussian head of state and call a new presidential poll for May 25.

Lawmakers then went a step further by approving the release from her seven-year jail sentence of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko - a star of the 2004 Orange Revolution who was thrown behind bars less than a year after Yanukovych came to power in 2010.

The constitutional legitimacy of parliament's actions remains an open question and Yanukovych vowed in a taped interview to fight the "bandits" who now claimed to rule Ukraine.

But Yanukovych's authority was nowhere in evidence in Kiev on Sunday. The city's police presence had vanished and protesters were in control of everything from traffic management to protection of government buildings after a week of bloodshed that claimed nearly 100 lives.

Hundreds of candles and a field of red carnations and roses lay across spots of central Kiev where many of the protesters were mowed down by police snipers in clashes that left the nation of 46 million in shock.

But Ukraine's new leader received their first crucial votes of confidence from Western powers on Sunday even as Russia showed growing signs of displeasure and concern.

Both Washington and Eu-

ropean leaders vowed to drum up aid that could pull Ukraine out of a crisis sparked in November when Yanukovych spurned a historic EU deal and later secured a $15-billion bailout for the struggling nation from its old master Russia.

US National Security Adviser Susan Rice also bluntly warned Russia that sending in troops to restore a more Kremlin-friendly leadership in Kiev "would be a grave mistake".

- 'Government of the people' Lawmakers voted on Sunday to name close Tymoshenko ally Oleksandr Turchynov -- himself only appointed parliament speaker on Saturday in place of a veteran Yanukovych supporter - as interim president tasked with forming a new government by Tuesday.

Turchynov immediately vowed to draw up a "government of the people" and warned Russia that he expected the Kremlin to respect his country's pivot.

Yanukovych was dealt another blow when his own Regions Party condemned him for issuing "criminal orders" that led to so many deaths.

Parliament also voted to dismiss Ukraine's Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara after sacking the federal police chief and prosecutor general on Saturday.

- West offers help Western countries gave cautious but vital backing to the sweeping changes while Russia once again warned that payment of its huge bailout package was on hold.

Ukraine owes nearly $13 billion in debt payments this year -- money it cannot drum up on financial markets because of prohibitively expensive borrowing costs.

7

US eavesdropping on hundreds of key German figures: report BERLIN (AFP) - US intelligence has stepped up eavesdropping on hundreds of key figures in Germany, including a government minister, after Chancellor Angela Merkel was dropped as a direct target, a German report said Sunday.

Bild am Sonntag newspaper said that 320 political and business leaders in Germany were being monitored by the US National Security Agency (NSA), including Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere.

"We have the order not to allow any loss of information whatsoever after the communication of the chancellor no longer being able to be directly monitored," Bild quoted an unnamed high-ranking US intelligence employee in Germany as saying.

US-German ties soured amid revelations leaked by former CIA contractor Edward

Snowden that US intelligence agencies had allegedly eavesdropped on Merkel and collected vast amounts of online data and telephone records from average citizens.

Last month, US President Barack Obama said the US intelligence service would continue to spy on foreign governments but assured Merkel that he would not let intrusive surveillance harm their relationship.

Bild also quoted US National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden as saying that the administration had made clear the US gathers the same kind of intelligence as all advanced nations.

US intelligence gathering is not aimed at helping US companies gain a competitive advantage, she was also quoted as saying.

The report sat awkwardly alongside an interview with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, published in Spiegel magazine on Sunday, in which he expressed his belief that the United States had learned its lesson about spying on allied countries.

Steinmeier told the magazine that he was sure US surveillance of political leaders in friendly nations was at an end.

Steinmeier appeared to back away from a "no spying" agreement that Germany has been pushing for in the wake of the scandal, saying he was doubtful that it will "bring us much further".

Germany is especially sensitive to mass state spying on citizens due to memories of methods employed by the Stasi secret police in the former communist East.

Mexican drug lord should face US justice: lawmaker WASHINGTON (AFP) - Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman should be extradited to the United States to stand trial, a senior Republican lawmaker said Sunday, warning "the biggest fish ever" may try to slip the net.

Guzman was arrested Saturday after more than a decade on the run when Mexican marines swooped on him, bringing to an abrupt end the reign of a man accused of being behind much of the drug violence that plagues Mexico.

He has also been branded "Public Enemy Number One" in Chicago.

The United States, which was involved in the operation that finally snared him, had offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture, with "multiple indictments in multiple cities" from New York to San Diego.

Asked on ABC television Sunday if he would like to see Guzman hauled before US courts, Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said: "I would. I think the normal sequence is Mexico, being a sovereign nation, has the first prosecution."

"However, there's a history

South Floridians gather to support Venezuela

FLORIDA - A white dove flies over the crowd after being released as Venezuelans and their supporters show their support with the anti-government protests in Venezuela on Saturday in Doral, Florida. In Venezuela, protests over the past couple of weeks have resulted in violence as government opponents and supporters have faced off in the streets.

here. He escaped from a prison in 2001. There is corruption in that country." "I would ask that the Mexicans consider extraditing him to the United States, where he will be put in a supermax prison under tight security where he cannot escape, and be brought to justice with a life imprisonment sentence," he said.

Guzman, whose nickname "shorty" is a reference to his height, gained legendary status after escaping from a maximum-security Mexican prison in a laundry cart in January 2001.

Asked about the likelihood of getting Guzman to the United States, McCaul added: "It depends on the pressure our State Department and administration puts on the current administration to do this."

"You know, I think their preference would be to try him first in the United States. But the track record is not good with this individual. This is an exceptional case. This is the largest, biggest drug lord we have seen in the world," he added.

Monday, February 24, 2014

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Monday, February 24, 2014

Kenyan county wants sex Chemicals may be offenders castrated eroding child IQs: Rape is a serious problem NAIROBI (AFP) - Authorities society." disputed study "Defilement has become a in Kenya but is seldom taken in western Kenya have de-

manded the government pass a law allowing for rapists and other sex offenders to be castrated, saying it was struggling to cope with a spike in cases of rape, paedophilia and bestiality.

Legislators in Baringo County in Kenya's Rift Valley province said current punishments were far too lenient.

"We in Baringo are ready to push all the way for castration," top local health official and legislator Solomon Chemjor told AFP. "We want our country to be safe for our children. We have to protect the social family fabric in our

major problem. A week cannot pass without a case being reported. It is not only against children, but also against the disabled, the aged and domesticated animals," he said, blaming alcoholism and unemployment for the problem.

"The offenders are taking advantage of the leniency of the Kenyan courts," he added.

Officials from Baringo did not give any clear statistics on sex crimes in the area, or how they compare with the rest of the country, but Chemjor said there were plenty of clear signs the problem was worsening.

seriously by the police, rights groups say.

Last year activists seized on the case of a Kenyan schoolgirl who was gangraped and left confined to a wheelchair, while three of the alleged rapists were ordered by police to cut grass around the police station as punishment.

Earlier this month the public prosecutor's office responded to widespread outrage and ordered the case to be tried in court, and also ordered an investigation into the failure of the police to take the case seriously.

PARIS (AFP) - Two public health experts warned Saturday about the stunting effects that a wide array of industrial chemicals, including toothpaste ingredient fluoride, may be having on child brain development, in a report some called alarmist.

The pair, Philippe Grandjean of the Harvard School of Public Health and Philip Landrigan from New York's Icahn School of Medicine, said the number of chemicals known to hinder child brain development have doubled from six in 2006 to 12 today.

In a 2006 review, the pair had identified ethanol, lead, methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, arsenic and toluene as "developmental neurotoxicants".

Since then, studies have shown another six to be dangerous: manganese, fluoride, c h l o r p y r i f o s , dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, tetrachloroethylene and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, said the new review.

These are used in everything from pesticides, dry cleaning chemicals and flame retardants.

Fluoride is commonly used to prevent tooth cavities, and added to tap water in many countries.

Brain development disorders like autism, attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia already affect one in six children today, and there was "strong evidence" of a link between chemical exposure and an increase in diagnoses, the team wrote in a review in the Lancet Neurology medical journal.

They urged mandated testing of all existing industrial chemicals as well as new ones entering the market, and said stronger controls could save billions of dollars in toxicity and poisoning costs.

Other experts, however, said the paper had limitations and was based on an array of previously published surveys of varying reliability.

Others said autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy and dyslexia have not been definitively associated with industrial chemical exposure.

In comments prepared by the Science Media Centre, epidemiologist Jean Golding of the University of Bristol accused the pair of issuing "scare" statements.

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Monday, February 24, 2014

Murano Bijoux and More at Paseo Herencia Aruba best brands from Murano, such as “Antica Murrina”, “Tommasi”, “Corte Murrina” and others.

The magnificent appearance and coloring of murano glass is achieved by adding gold or silver foil to the glass mixture and/or adding minerals such as zinc for white, cobalt for blue, manganese for violet, and so on, the glass is not painted, that’s why it never will change color.

Murano Bijoux and More is a piece of Venice in Aruba.

--We found this unique store in Aruba: the Authentic Murano Glass jewelry and decorations, from Murano- Italy, to Aruba.

“Murano Glass” is only made on the island of Murano.

Murano is one of the islands that compose Venice, “Venezia” in Italian.

Murano Bijoux and More is the first and only store with the concept of Murano home decorations and jewelry in the Caribbean. They have a selection of authentic murano art to

make your house look spectacular, and fine jewelry made of glass, using many ancient techniques from the best glass masters in Venice/Italy.

The manager, Esmeralda Saetta, came with this idea since she has an Italian background, she has worked for years in the tourism business in Aruba, but now she wanted to start a new project with her family, and at the same time honor part of her heritage.

They bring to Aruba the

Location: Paseo Herencia Mall, local C-10.

Contact:muranoaruba@gmail.com - facebook.com/muranobijouxan dmore Open hours: Monday to Saturday: 10.30a.m.1.00pm and from 2.0010.00p.m. and on Sundays from 6.00pm to 10.00pm.

Come Visit Us!!

Plan to split California into six states gains ground

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - A plan to divide California into six separate US states is closer to making it on to a November ballot, with organizers gaining approval to collect signatures.

The seemingly farfetched initiative, sponsored by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Tim Draper, claims "political representation of California's diverse population and economies has rendered the state nearly ungovernable."

At least 807,615 voters - representing eight percent of the total ballots cast for governor in the 2010 election -- will need to sign the petition by July 18 to make it on to the ballot.

The proposal aims to split the state -- America's most populous with around 38 million inhabitants -- into "six smaller state governments, while preserving the historical boundaries of the various counties, cities and towns."

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Monday, February 24, 2014

Colombian president's email account hacked: report

French organic winemaker WhatsApp? Service in court for shunning down, three days after pesticides Facebook deal

DIJON (AFP) - A winemaker in France's Burgundy region appears in court Monday for refusing to use pesticides in his organic vineyard despite a government order.

Environmentalists have backed his refusal but other local winemakers have denounced the support campaign around him as full of "falsehoods" and defended their practices.

Emmanuel Giboulot is being pursued by an arm of the agriculture ministry for not heeding a local directive in Burgundy's wine-growing Cote d'Or area to regularly treat vines against a leaf-hopping insect that causes an infectious disease called "flavescence doree".

The disease first appeared in 1949 in France's southwestern Armagnac region.

It then spread steadily, reaching the wine-producing areas of Cognac, Languedoc, northern and southern Rhone, the Loire Valley and Bordeaux.

There is no cure yet for the bacterial infection, which can kill young vines and greatly reduce the productivity of older ones.

After the discovery of the disease in Burgundy's Beaune region, the local administration last June ordered all vineyard owners in the Cote d'Or area to treat their vineyards with pesticides.

But Giboulot has doggedly defied the order and shunned pesticides on his 10-hectare (24-acre) estate straddling the Cote de Beaune, the southern part of the Cote d'Or that is home to the great names in

Burgundy wine.

He argues that the order would destroy the work of his father, who converted to biodynamic farming in the 1970s.

Giboulot was prosecuted after a check by local agricultural authorities in July and faces up to six months in prison and a 30,000-euro ($41,000) fine.

His defiance has won the support of leading environmental groups including Greenpeace and France's Green party, part of the ruling coalition with President Francois Hollande's Socialists.

His supporters will stage a demonstration on Monday outside the court in Dijon where Giboulot is due to appear.

"In the absence of a proven health threat, freedom of choice should be given," said Sandrine Belier, a Green party lawmaker in the European Parliament.

Environmentalists argue that instead of ordering the sweeping use of pesticides, local authorities should only monitor the disease, uproot affected vines and limit the mandatory use of pesticides to the areas under threat.

"All vines must be treated by everyone for the treatment to work," said Olivier Lapotre, the head of the local food department.

Burgundy officials say the policy is paying off. The prefecture said only 0.20 hectares were seriously affected by flavescence doree in 2013 and the vines there uprooted, against 11.3 hectares in the previous year.

NEW YORK (AFP) - WhatsApp's 450 million worldwide users were unable to access the smartphone free-messaging service for several hours on Saturday, three days after Facebook declared it was lavishing up to $19 billion on it.

"Sorry we currently experiencing server issues. We hope to be back up and recovered shortly," WhatsApp said in a message on Twitter that was retweeted more than 25,000 times in just a few hours and provoked ridicule because it comes so soon after Facebook's hefty acquisition.

Some WhatsApp users found they were unable to connect to the app, while others complained their messages were not going through.

WhatsApp did not say how long the outage lasted, but about 2.5 hours later it tweeted again to say: "WhatsApp service has been restored. We are sorry for the downtime..."

The specialist website techcrunch.com suggested the problem might be down to "a surge of signups and usage that has overloaded its servers" after the publicity the app garnered following Facebook's announcement on Wednesday.

Facebook is betting huge on

mobile with the eye-popping cash-and-stock deal for WhatsApp, which was only started five years ago but has quickly grown as a free alternative to text messages.

It is Facebook's biggest acquisition and comes less than two years after the Californiabased Internet star raised $16 billion in the richest tech sector public stock offering.

Neither WhatsApp nor Facebook were immediately available for comment.

However, the outage was the source of much amusement -as well as anger -- on Twitter.

"I expect you are all away from your desks on the ales drinking some of that Facebook cash!" one user, "leonclarance," replied to WhatsApp's tweet about the blackout. Another simply tweeted: "Turn down Facebook's offer guys!"

BOGOTA (AFP) - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos' personal email account has been hacked by unknown parties, a newspaper reported Saturday.

The El Tiempo daily wrote that among the emails accessed were several related to the possible purchase of some works of art, a deal which never went through.

Others dealt with school tuition payments for his daughter Maria Antonia, according to the newspaper.

El Tiempo said that Santos was made aware of the breach and that security officials were investigating who was behind it.

The revelation comes amid other allegations published in the press that an army intelligence unit had spied on the Colombian government's negotiating team at peace talks with FARC rebels in Cuba.

The talks, which began more than a year ago in the capital Havana, aim to put an end to the longest-running conflict in Latin America, which has left hundreds of thousands dead in over a half century.

Monday, February 24, 2014

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G20 vows to add $2 tn Comcast, Netflix reach agreeto world economy to ment on smoother streaming NEW YORK (AFP) - Netflix The financial details of the times resulting in non-fluid lift growth has reached an agreement deal -- in which Netflix will streaming.

SYDNEY (AFP) - The world's biggest economies vowed Sunday to boost global growth by more than $2 trillion over five years, shifting their focus away from austerity as a fragile recovery takes hold.

Finance ministers and central bank governors from the Group of 20, which accounts for 85 percent of the world economy, also agreed to pursue greater transparency about monetary policy after rifts about the US taper.

They expressed "deep regret" that reforms to the International Monetary Fund have stalled, because the United States Congress has yet to ratify them.

After their meeting in Sydney, the G20 ministers issued what host Australia called "an unprecedented" and unusually brief two-page statement to drive "a return to strong, sustainable and balanced growth in the global economy".

"We will develop ambitious but realistic policies with the aim to lift our collective GDP by more than two percent above the trajectory implied by current policies over the coming five years," they said in reference to two percentage points.

"This is over US$2.0 trillion more in real terms and will lead to significant additional jobs."

US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew stressed at a press conference that the G20 had left the austerity debate behind and was fully focused on growth.

"If you look where we were a year ago, debating austerity... This (weekend) was a debate about how can we work together to share best practices and develop an approach where our individual economies can grow and the global economy can hit the objective that is set forth in this text," he said.

SATURDAy’S Crossword Answer

The IMF has said the strategy could add half a percentage point to global growth annually over four years starting next year.

The fund currently projects growth of 3.7 percent this year and 3.9 percent in 2015, with each G20 country to hammer out the finer points before the leaders' summit in Brisbane in November.

Ministers said the figure could be reached by increasing investment and employment and enhancing trade, adding that there was "no room for complacency" and that addressing the challenges "requires ambition".

Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey, the G20 chair, had been pushing ministers to agree to faster global growth targets, with private-sector investment as a central plank.

He stressed the need for structural reforms to drive growth.

with cable and internet giant Comcast so that the US video-streaming service's programming can be viewed more smoothly, the two announced Sunday.

The companies "have established a more direct connection between Netflix and Comcast, similar to other networks, that's already delivering an even better user experience to consumers," their statement said.

The agreement comes 10 days after Comcast unveiled plans to swallow rival Time Warner Cable in a $45.2 billion mega-deal that triggered debate on the creation of a cable-Internet behemoth.

The planned merger was seen by analysts as Comcast positioning itself to fend off threats from streaming video services like Netflix, Amazon and HBO, which can offer an alternative to cable.-

Greek banks need five billion euro cash injection: reports ATHENS (AFP) - Greece's four top banks are expected to need an extra capital injection of about five billion euros, local media said Sunday as the country's international lenders prepared for a new audit of Greek finances.

The Bank of Greece is cur-

Apple, Samsung fail to settle patent case NEW YORK (AFP) - Apple and its South Korean rival Samsung will return to court next month after failing to agree on a settlement to end a legal battle over patents in the United States.

The two firms had been pushed into talks by a court order that saw Apple CEO Tim Cook and his Samsung mobile communications counterpart JK Shin attend a fullday negotiation session in early February, along with their advisors and legal teams.

But despite several followups, "the mediator's settlement proposal to the parties was unsuccessful," the two technology giants said in a joint filing Friday in US District Court in San Jose, California.

"Parties remain willing to work through the mediator jointly selected by the parties."

Apple said it had contacted the mediator by telephone more than six times after the negotiations, while Samsung communicated with the mediator via conference calls and other means more than four times.

This is not the first time for Apple and Samsung to seek a settlement out of court. But a

pay Comcast -- were not disclosed.

A Netflix spokesperson told AFP that the agreement would help restore optimum streaming for some American Comcast broadband subscribers who had difficulty viewing Netflix's programming.

Until now, Netflix and its heavy traffic flow reached Comcast's network via bandwidth intermediaries, some-

court-imposed mediation session in May 2012 failed to produce results.

The companies have been locked in a prolonged patent war in more than 10 countries, with each accusing the other of infringing on various patents.

In November, a US federal jury ordered Samsung to pay $290 million in damages to Apple in a partial retrial of the blockbuster patent case.

The US ruling came on top of an original $640 million award that went to Apple, for an award total of $930 million.

Apple's victory in the US court has had little impact on new products, as Samsung has succeeded in distancing itself from Apple with new items such as its flagship Galaxy 4 smartphones.

Apple has accused its South Korean rival of massive and willful copying of its designs and technology for smartphones and tablets, and has asked the court to bar US sales of Samsung smartphones and tablet computers.

Samsung claimed Apple had used some of its technology without permission.

rently evaluating the restructuring plans of the country's four main lenders -- National Bank, Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank and Eurobank -- before releasing stress test results that will show whether they can absorb possible future shocks from bad loans.

The Ethnos newspaper reported that the central bank's preliminary estimates put the banks' capital needs at around five billion euros ($6.8 billion), while the weekly Realnews said it would be between 4.5 to 4.8 billion euros.

The central bank said official results would be published by early March.

Officials from the European Union, the European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund are set to begin their latest audit of Greek finances that will decide whether a new tranche of aid will be released today.

The so-called troika of lenders will also meet with Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras.

In January Bank of Greece governor George Provopoulos had warned of rising bad loans, saying the "late repayment of loans could lead to a reduction of banks' capital and the need for (new) capital to pay high commissions".

The Greek banking sector underwent radical restructuring and consolidation last year under the terms of the country's bailout deal with the EU, IMF and the ECB. The four top banks were recapitalised as part of the terms included in the latest EU-IMF bailout deal.

A period of consolidation of the banking sector followed, with the big four rapidly acquiring smaller rivals and the subsidiaries of foreign banks who had pulled out.

A sum of 50 billion euros from the EU-IMF rescue loans was earmarked for the recapitalisation of banks following the heavy losses they suffered by taking part in a write-down of privately-held Greek government bonds in 2012.

12

Monday, February 24, 2014

Febr. 22 - Mrt. 01 O’stad : ‘ Botica del Pueblo ’ - S.N: ‘ San Nicolas ‘

5274000

see our website: www.themorningnewsaruba.com

Monday, February 24, 2014

13

Gold Coast Aruba: This is the time to invest --Management of Gold Coast Aruba, the island’s newest and most innovative gated community, reports that sales have been very good and encouraging as the global economy recovers and people looking to purchase vacation homes have found that Gold Coast is an outstanding investment value.

Director of Sales, Fito Croes has noticed a surprising percentage of owners in reality do not spend a great amount of time personally to use the villas or town homes they purchase, but are taking advantage of Gold Coast’s rental services to turn their investment into ready income.

“The greater portion of home owners are using their “home away from home” in Aruba to escape the winter months, or spend holidays with the family on the island,” he remarked, “but I am gratified by how many are buying because they felt secure with real estate investment on Aruba. They really study the history and economy of the island and are impressed with the political stability and continually increasing value of prime locations. Gold Coast is in the heart of Malmok, considered Aruba’s most exclusive community where the value of properties has only increased over time. It is only minutes to the best beaches and all the ac-

tion, and yet offers a quiet and secluded getaway; we are very pleased by the response to our concept.”

Fito, with his sister Mayrin and brother Rudy operate Cas Bon, which has been constructing homes and building developments for all budgets for nearly twenty years. “Gold Coast Aruba is the jewel in our crown,” observes Fito. “We were very excited about this project and the scope of actual and planned facilities and amenities. We have spoken to countless island visitors to find out what they would really want in a permanent residence on Aruba, and took from there.”

Input from frequent vacationers who have dreamed of their own home in Aruba contributed to the realization of

Gold Coast Aruba which when complete will be a community of 260 town homes, villas and condominiums with a stunning clubhouse complemented by two additional community pool areas , The Clubhouse is about to start construction and will offer to the community homeowners and visitors 2 tennis courts, full service spa and fitness center as well as a stunning pool area, also restaurant and mini-market.

Owners who purchased upon the groundbreaking only a few short years ago, are already enjoying a nearly 50% appreciation on their investment, particularly those taking advantage of the on site management’s rental services program. There is always a great demand for Aruba and facilities such as those at Gold

Coast, make it easy for some owners to see a valuable return on their investment.

The design of the residences and public areas is open, airy and spacious, taking full advantage of the island environment, with quality construction and finishing available. Partnering with two of Aruba’s top providers of kitchens and bathrooms enables developers to offer custom options allowing buyers to individualize their homes. An elegant and chic furniture package is available or island designers will assist owners in finishing the décor to their specific tastes.

There are many aspects to purchasing property; not the least is the future value of the investment. To further enhance

this, Gold Coast management have inaugurated a number of in-house services and have recently become affiliated Interval International, the world’s largest network of vacation ownership properties which provides an unlimited international pool of investors to tap for ownership and rental prospects. Property exchange for a vacation in another destination is also available through the Interval International affiliation. Gold Coast’s own rental services have also proven highly successful in assisting owners in renting their villas; 24-hour security and maintenance services also tip the scales when it is time to make a decision. Aside from all this, housekeeping, child care, catering services , car rental through its partnership with AVIS car rental are also available as well as pre-shopping services so cupboards and refrigerators are stocked upon arrival, which can also be arranged through their property management department.

Personnel are also available to assist in arranging restaurant reservations and island activities.

Visit their website: www. goldcoastaruba.com for more details and availability or call 586-2200 to arrange a personal tour.

Discover authentic Aruban cuisine at

The Queen's

Enjoy a true taste of Aruba without having to travel in the charming surroundings of The Queen's Restaurant in the Palm Beach Plaza Mall. Your host, Varella Innocencia has brought her very popular Oranjestad eatery to Palm Beach, showcasing authentic local cuisine only a short walk away from the major resorts.

The "hipper" and elegant new digs offer beautiful views, but Mama Lusia's magical touch in the kitchen is what

first won this charming eatery their loyal clientele. She can be counted on to be conjuring up the delicious dishes that have been in her family for generation. As Varella says, "My mom loves and lives to cook.

Even when she is not at work in the restaurant, she is experimenting with new dishes all day at home.

She is the Queen of the Kitchen."

Be sure to try Luisa's acclaimed “Carni Stoba di Ma-

machi”-“Grandma’s Beef Stew,” or their fresh, whole snapper, with Mama Luisa's delectable salsa criollo. Don't miss the specialty of the house, a favorite local delicacy, Keshi Yena -“Filled Cheese.”

This is a tasty, filling stew of chicken, with other ingredients that are handy that day, all incased in a thick skin of melted Gouda. It is satisfying and particularly memorable. Regional side dishes and some of Mama's secret recipe prepara-

Mama Luisa hard at work in the kitchen tion of banana hasa and queensaruba. com/.

Aside from an extensive recreamy potatoes provide a degular menu they also have liciously picturesque meal.

The Queen’s is located on daily specials made from the second level of Palm Beach whatever is in season, and Plaza, tucked into a cozy corner Mama Luisa is in the mood to at the front of the mall. If you prepare. so don’t be shy about have a mind to try the real deal asking for something that may in Aruban food, without a no be on the menu, as they are doubt, this is the way to go, rea- always eager to please.

The Queen's is open daily sonably priced and easily accesfrom 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm , ofsible. A full menu can be seen fering both indoor and outon their website, http://www.the door dining. Telf. 5860606!

14

Monday, February 24, 2014

Farewell to 2014

Sochi Winter Olympics

The closing ceremony at the Sochi Olympics got underway Sunday with the organisers tongue-in-cheek poking fun at their own mishap at the opening ceremony with the Olympic rings. At the opening ceremony on February 7, one of the Olympic rings famously failed to transform from a snowflake, in an episode that was notoriously covered up by state television. This time hundreds of dancers in the centre of the Fisht stadium in Sochi whirled into position to form the shape of the five Olympic rings -- however with the top right ring failing to form. Laughter echoed around the stadium as the spectators realised the deliberate mistake, followed by cheers as the dancers whirled out to fully complete the five rings.

OLE EINAR BJOERNDALEN - Veteran record-breaker Norwegian veteran biathlete Ole Einar Bjoerndalen became the greatest Winter Olympian in history by taking a record 13th medal. Tied with cross country ski legend Bjoern Daehlie on 12 medals after winning his first event, he overtook his compatriot with a gold in the mixed relay.

Bjoerndalen has now won eight gold medals at Winter Olympics, equalling Daehlie's record.

Standout performances at the 2014 Winter Olympics: MARIT BJOERGEN -Queen of the cross country The 33-year-old Norwegian cross country skier sealed her status as one of the greatest Olympic athletes in history when she won a record sixth gold in the women's 30km mass start at the Sochi Games.

Bjoergen equalled the record of Soviet speed skater Lidia Skoblikova and Russian cross country skier Lyubov Yegorova in taking six golds at Winter Olympics, the most by any woman.

She has also now equalled the record of 10 medals overall held by cross country skiers Stefania Belmondo of Italy and Raisa Smetanina of the USSR.

FIGURE SKATING -Controversy and a new era Russian teenager Adelina Sotnikova stunned favourites Kim Yu-Na and Mao Asada to take women's gold in a controversial final while Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu sparked a new dawn for Asia in the men's.

Sotnikova, 17, pushed precocious teammate Julia Lipnitskaia, who had starred in Russia's team victory, into the shade.

The men's event was hit by the injury-forced pull-out of Russian star Yevgeny Plushenko, helping to pave the way for Hanyu to become the first Asian man to win Olympic singles gold. Russia won the pairs through Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov while Meryl Davis

and Charlie White of the United States claimed the ice dance gold.

DOWNHILL -- Flat out in deadheat Swiss outsider Dominique Gisin and Slovenian Tina Maze finished in a dead heat as an Alpine skiing gold medal was shared for the first time in Winter Olympics history in a dramatic women's downhill.

Swiss racer Gisin, wearing bib number eight, was first to clock 1min 41.57sec down the icy 2.7km-long course and in brilliant sunshine it looked to have been enough for outright victory. But Gisin, who had not won a World Cup downhill race since 2009 and whose best finish in the downhill this season was seventh, had not counted on Maze, the 2013 super-G world champion and proven big-stage performer.

SHORT TRACK -- Ahn speeds into Russian hearts Russian short track speed skater Victor Ahn was the most successful athlete at the Sochi Games, winning three gold medals and a bronze.

Ahn now has eight Olympic medals in total after also winning three golds and a bronze for his native South Korea at the 2006 Turin Games. He missed the Vancouver Olympics.

The 28-year-old, who is now a Russian citizen, followed his earlier wins in the 500m and 1,000m by leading the host nation to victory in the 5,000m relay in front of jubilant fans.

Canada beat Sweden to win the hockey gold medal Sunday but there are doubts whether they will be able to defend their title four years from now in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Bettman said more talks with the International Ice Hockey Federation and the International Olympic Committee are needed before they can allow the players to continue to take part in the Winter Olympics. NHL owners find it difficult to stop for over two weeks in the middle of the season and are also worried about injuries like the one suffered in Sochi by Canada's John Tavares.

Alexander Zubkov claimed his second gold medal of the Sochi Games and Russia's 13th by winning the fourman bobsleigh. On Sunday, he produced two more consistent runs to clock a combined time of 3min 40.60sec to finish 0.09sec ahead of second-placed Latvia-1.

Latvia's team, piloted by Oskars Melbardis, were second overnight and they maintained their position to get silver. The USA-1 team, with Vancouver Olympic champion Steve Holcombe in the driver's seat, took bronze having been down in fourth overnight.

Undeterred by their dismal showing at the Sochi Olympics, Jamaica's bobsleigh pilot Winston Watts on said he was ready to hand over the baton to the next generation in the Caribbean island nation.Jamaica's bobsleigh team were immortalised in the Hollywood blockbuster "Cool Runnings", based on the exploits of their predecessors at the 1988 Calgary Games. Back at the Games after a 12-year absence from the competition, Jamaica -- with Watts and brakeman Marvin Dixon in the two-man sled -- limped in second from last on Monday.

Monday, February 24, 2014

15

Eleventh sports “Premio Excelencia” is March 21st ORANJESTAD - The “Premio Excelencia” in Sports is a sign of gratitude, recognition and stimulus that a country gives those who have excelled in the world of sports. For eleven consecutive years a commission consisting of representatives of sports organizations such as the Aruba Olympic Committee, Aruba Sport Unie, IBiSA, Ministry of Sports together with reporters, press, radio and television come together to honor and recognize our excelling athletes. This is done in an organized and impartial manner.

Each nominee is carefully evaluated based on certain criteria and then selected.

During a gala event each selected athlete is presented with a ‘galardon.’ From the very first such event back in 2003, athletes in different sports have succeeded in winning

Jordy Groters

Guillermo Kelkboom

Angelo Rodriguez

this maximum prize and become the athlete of the year for Aruba.

Of the athletes that have received this honor in past years, some are still active in Aruba, while others have decided to go abroad to continue their education while still practicing their beloved sport.

Here’s a list of the nominees in the infant and youth categories for the Premio Excellencia den Deporte 2013: Infant Athletes/youth feAshley Poulina male up to 13 years: -AZB/Synchro - Abigail de cobs Veer -AZB/Landamento - Florence -KENDO – James Lu -ATA – Giannon Eights Kock -AVB - Sallyslaine Alvarez -Badminton – Vincent van Dinter (SV Dakota) -ARTBO – Hakeem Lowe -KENDO - Danbi Velasquez -Badminton -Thirza v/d Lin- -ALTB – Patrick Sydow -ABB – Andre Patrice den -Ajedrez – Brain Diaz -ARTBO - CiarraPetrochi Feminine athlete youth 14 to -ALTB - Ashley Poulina 18 years: -Ajedrez - Maria Acosta Athletes infant/youth mascu- -ASA - Annabel van Westerop -AZB/Synchro - Kyra Hoevline up to 13 years: AZB/Landamento – Daniel Ja- ertsz -AZB/Landamento - Allyson

Ponson -AVB - ChameralLuitjes (SV Santa Fe) -Badminton – Maxime Fraser -ARTBO - Jada Mejia -Judo - Emmazira Kelly -Ajedrez - Annelaine Jacobs Athletes masculine youth 14 to 18 years: -ASA – Steven Max Lageveen -AZB/Landamento – Jordy Groters -AAWA – Zymnion Loopstok

-ATA – Renze Postma -AVB – Jonathan Ruiz -Badminton – Jamiro v/d Spil -ARTBO – Giangelo Rodriguez -Judo – Isaac Croes -ARUBOX – Guillermo Kelkboom -Ajedrez - Mark Bueno In a subsequent report will report on the athlete’s category as well as on the leaders of the year.

Monday, February 24, 2014

16

Party time as Sochi Games close

The bear mascot blows out the flame

See you in Pyeongchang, South Corea in 2018

SOCHI (AFP) - Sochi's $50 billion Olympics, closely interwoven with President Vladimir Putin's image and plagued by controversy in the build-up, closed Sunday with bold praise and Russia supreme on top of the medals table. In a glitzy closing ceremony, aimed at conveying a confident state at ease with its past as well as present, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach said "Russia delivered all what it had promised". Just over two weeks ago, Bach, aware of the wide-scale global resentment over Russia's notorious anti-gay law, had made an impassioned call for politicians to stay out of sports. On Sunday, he insisted that those involved in the organisation of the Sochi Games had revealed a Russia to be respected. Following the handover of the Olympic flag to the next host city, Pyeongchang in South Korea, Sochi Games chief Dmitry Chernyshenko hailed "a great moment in our history" Bach then closed the Black Sea coast showpiece in the traditional manner of looking ahead ot the next Games in South Korea in 2018. "I declare the 22nd Olympic Winter Games closed. In accordance with tradition, I call upon the youth of the world to assemble four years from now in PyeongChang to celebrate with us the 23rd Olympic Winter Games." In a touching nod to its own sporting history, the Olympic cauldron was then extinguished by a giant, tearful bear, taking older Russians back to the 1980 Moscow Summer Games and its muchloved bear mascot, Misha. Fireworks exploded across Olympic Park, bringing the Games to a spectacular end As the stadium emptied, the Sochi party was in full swing.

Sochi Winter Olympics Medals Table: RUSSIA - 13 11 9 33 NORWAY- 11 5 10 26 CANADA- 9 10 5 25 UNITED STATES - 9 7 12 28 THE NETHERLANDS - 8 7 9 24 GERMANY - 8 6 5 19 SWITZERLAND - 6 3 2 11

Dutch delight;

Speedskating Records Fall for the Dutch SOCHIE (AFP) - It wasn't so much a competition as a coronation for the Netherlands' speed skaters, who made off with 23 of the 36 medals on offer -- including eight golds from 12 events.

The powerful Dutch speed skating team turned the Adler Arena orange, winning 23 of the 36 medals on offer -- including eight golds from 12 events.

They won a medal in all 12 events -- capping their impressive showing with gold in the

men's and women's team pursuit events. The next best team was Poland, with just three medals.

Ireen Wust won two golds and three silvers. With eight medals overall, she now has the most Winter Games medals for a Dutch athlete.